Behind-the-scenes at Indycar’s street party

This story started with a surprise phone call and it ends up with my in victory lane at Indycar’s biggest and best street party.

A random overseas number calls your phone on WhatsApp. With scammers gone wild these days, there is fat chance that you are picking it up. Then you get a text from your old mate. Apparently, he has a gig for you in Los Angeles – different from what you expected! All round good egg and renowned Australian sports reporter Duncan Mckenzie McHarg, an old work colleague I hadn’t seen in 10 years, was trying to get hold of me. Duncan was now kicking around in LA and recently penned a deal to create a new show for Visit California and Stan Australia called GAME DAY. The premise is Duncan visits all the major sporting events in LA, hosted by a different expert who knows that particular sport inside out. And after he locked in Long Beach IndyCar GP, Duncan thought who better than to host the episode than motorsport mad Kate Peckin’ Pecker.

IndyCar – we don’t talk about the sport a lot down under, but we should. It is a brilliant motorsport series for a variety of reasons. Firstly, there are two engine options with one chassis creating close racing with a focus on the driver skills rather than the amount of money you can throw at your cars. The driver lineup is incredibly talented and culturally diverse, from former F1 drivers like Romain Grosjean to Australian Supercars Champions like Scott McLaughlin reigning from all across the globe – Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and, of course, the US – the whole world comes to race Indy. Not to mention the insanely risky and exciting racing when they are five wide on an oval track at 230mph (370km per hour!!) things go wrong. Lastly, the variety of tracks – from flowing and undulating road courses to concrete-lined street circuits and flat-out oval speedways. Are you sold?! Shut up and take my money, Peck.

So you get the picture. It was to be an enchanting, whirlwind trip of fast cars, fast drivers, and celebrities.

We had one day to create all the TV magic we required: Sunday, Funday, Race Day. It shouldn’t be hard at a 200-mile-per-hour beach party! If you’re coming to one IndyCar race, Long Beach has got to be high on the list—along with the Indy 500, of course. Long Beach GP is the longest running street race in North America, it’s F1 history is also fascinating.

This weekend was all about access and how close to the action we could really get. Luckily, besides the VIP pass I arrogantly presumed was coming my way, I know people in high places. Such as as my editor, Stephen Ottley, who is pals with two-time IndyCar Champion Will Power. And former Triple Eight co-owner, now General Motors boss lady (Motorsports Integration Manager) living in the US, Jess Dane. JD is the person you want in your corner for basically any form of four-wheel motorsport. And knowing that Penske is brimming with Aussies and Kiwis’, how could we not be welcomed with open arms?

So, with that sorted, it was time to arrive at the track and soak up the good vibes.

We kicked off in the funny little seaside strip of Shoreline Village. Looking like a beachside Notting Hill with pretty pastel heritage shop fronts featuring tourist nick naks, a mega candy store, and somewhere to eat American grub. The Village was impeccably placed, shouldering the racetrack, the perfect spot to film our Duncan McMc and my on-camera reunion for GAMEDAY. Hugs all round, we kicked off with a trip to the candy store and some ice-cream. It seemed like the only thing to do at 9am to get my pre-race sugar buzz on.

We hit the paddock with our VIP Passes. I thought the access we get at Supercars in Australia was premium. Indy is equal and possibly better. Or maybe it’s just the cash the teams all spend on their set ups that make the place feel super lux and slick. I almost hi-fived McLaren’s Zak Brown, that’s how close you can get to the teams and drivers. The crowd was interesting, your fair share of motorsport maniacs that could do with a salad and a good scrub but also a lot of women and families, this was wonderful to see. It was a brilliant vibe. And most people had all their teeth – always a win.

From here, we were able to walk into the Penske garage and take a closer look with the assistance of Jess Dane’s contact, Penske Director of Marketing Aussie Chris Wilson. Chris was formerly the Commercial Director of DJR Team Penske in Supercars. I was then able to interview Ron Ruzewski, who bleeds Penske. In his 20th season with the team, Ron is their IndyCar Managing Director, taking care of Indycar and IMSA. To add to his duties, he’s also the voice in Will Power’s ear each weekend who, as race strategist, took Will to his 2022 Championship title. Enjoy a bit of race weekend pressure Ron?! He explained to us, ‘There is no room for error when the stakes are this high’, especially when racing at sketchy street circuits where one mistake could cost you the race and severely damage your championship hopes. 

In the best of fortunes, my good mate and renowned US motorsport commentator of two wheels and four, Ralph Sheehan, was on track commentary for the main race – as the official voice of the Long Beach IndyCar GP. We worked together on a Honda Supercross event in Melbourne and have remained in touch ever since. Duncan and I tootled up to his commentary area for a chat—unsurprisingly, Ralph had the best viewing point on the circuit.

Qualifying was as all street circuit quali’s generally are – edge-of-your-seat, fully committed, thrilling driving as the punters watch the racer’s eyebrows almost scrap the walls. And it was Felix Rosenqvuist who brought home the bacon, putting in a stellar lap time. The Swede achieved his team’s, Meyer Shanks racing, first-ever pole. It had been four years since Rosenqvist won a race, his only top step in Indy car. We all know the advantage for a driver when they don’t have to filter through traffic at a street circuit from pole position, it’s a good spot to be in. Felix was feeling confident. But the field was stacked, and this pole position curveball would not deter pros like six-time champ Scott Dixon, two-time champ Power or the leader of the IndyCar Championship coming into the weekend – Josef Newgarden.

It was then down to the grid walk where my selfie sights were set on one target. The GOAT, Mario Andretti. Mario is the only driver to win the Indy 500, Daytona 500 and the Formula One World Championship. They say don’t meet your heroes, but wow, what a humble, approachable human. He was more than happy to have a chat about his rich history at the track, winning here in Formula 1 in 1977 and then in the first two years of CART in ’84 and ’85. Mario was the hottest property on the grid; it was such a privilege to be in his presence, let alone to have a chinwag.

The grid energy was brilliant; you were so close you could touch the cars and fist-pump the drivers. Not that they wanted us to be doing either of those things.

It was time for the drivers to get stuck into their rolling start. I was so ready. We then ran around the track, capturing the key areas of action and killer turns like the infamous turn 11 hairpin, which is absolutely imperative to nail in order to get a good drive onto the main straight.

The battle between Dixon’s fuel-saving strategy and Newgarden’s sheer speed defined the race. While the ending wasn’t a high-octane spectacle, it created a tense, dramatic finish where Dixon’s victory remained uncertain until the very last moment. It was a thrilling event, and apparently one of the best Long Beach has seen in recent years.

As Dixon crossed the finish line, we bolted to the podium. After the massive pit of photographers had taken 80 different photos of the top three place-getters in 80 different sponsor hats, it was time for champagne showers. And then, finally, our chance to grab an interview with the Kiwi who was absolutely buzzing and drenched from head to toe in champagne. The thrill of the race, the suspense of whether he’d be able to manage the gap and fuel save enough, was seeping out his pores. It was a perfectly executed drive.

And what a guy. Scott was such a delight to talk to, providing interesting, considered and articulate answers. Can you believe the old dog Dixon is 44 this year? 2024 marks his 22nd year in Indy, his 24th in US open-wheel racing if you include CART.

And that was that, we wrapped the shoot, and it was hugs all around.

Wow, what an experience. I met a few of my heroes on this day. None of them disappointed.

Check out Kate and Duncan’s finish film below: